Jill Martin, the popular lifestyle contributor for TODAY, and her husband, Erik Brooks, are quietly ending their marriage after just two years, sources close to the couple have revealed. Martin, 48, and Brooks, the founder of Ethos Capital, were married in September 2022, but their relationship has come to an end as Martin continues to battle breast cancer.
The divorce comes over a year after Martin was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2023. The diagnosis came shortly after she tested positive for the BRCA gene, which significantly increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Despite the personal challenges she’s facing, Martin remains focused on her health and her career.
A source told PEOPLE, “Jill is focused on getting healthy and making a difference. She’s launching a new initiative on TODAY for Breast Cancer Awareness Month on October 1, and she’s starting a new business this month.”
Reflecting on her diagnosis, Martin previously shared with PEOPLE that she felt “grateful” it came after her marriage to Brooks. She described her life as being divided into “before and after the diagnosis.” The wedding, she noted, “was such a purely happy event,” and she was thankful it happened before the news of her illness.
“I feel like this is a new chapter with a new journey,” Martin said at the time. “But that’s not bad because I am going to take this. It will just be different.” She acknowledged that the experience would impact her choices, lifestyle, and outlook moving forward.
“There will be a lot of beautiful, positive silver linings that come out of it, and of course, heartbreak,” Martin added. “I mean, this is heartbreaking.”
In October 2023, Martin opened up about her ongoing battle with breast cancer in an emotional appearance on TODAY. Sitting down with hosts Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie, she detailed the toll chemotherapy had taken on her, both physically and mentally, following her double mastectomy. The conversation was a powerful moment for viewers, as Martin shared the vulnerability and strength she has needed to navigate this difficult time.
As she continues to fight cancer, Martin is also pushing forward with her professional projects, including a new business and her initiative for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Despite the heartbreak of her divorce and the challenges of her health journey, she remains determined to focus on the future.